Cecropia Moth

While I was fueling up the truck one day last week, Teddy, as she often does, was out wandering in a nearby field and discovered this adult female Cecropia moth. They do not live long (about two weeks) because the adult cecropia cannot eat. The purpose of the adult stage is to mate and lay eggs. She wasn't very active and was probably near death, having already laid her eggs.
With a wingspan of 5 to 6 inches, the cecropia moth (Hyalophora cecropia) is the largest North American moth. It is a member of the family Saturniidae. Cecropia moths are referred to as silkworm moths.
Although these moths are common throughout North America, you don't often see them because they fly only at night. However, because a cecropia moth is colorful as well as large, when you do see one for the first time you will remember it forever!
Like most moths, they are attracted to bright lights. This is where most people encounter them for the first time.